Track resource cost by tag
You can use tags for cost allocation to track your AWS cost in detail. After you activate the cost allocation tags, AWS uses the cost allocation tags to organize your resource billing on your cost allocation report. This helps you categorize and track your usage costs.
There are two types of cost allocation tags you can activate:
-
AWS-generated – These tags are generated by AWS. AWS tags use the
aws:
prefix, for example,aws:createdBy
. -
User-defined – These are custom tags that you create. The user-defined tags use the
user:
prefix, for example,user:CostCenter
.
You must activate each tag type individually. After your tags are activated, you can enable AWS Cost Explorer or view your monthly cost allocation report.
After you activate your tags, AWS generates a monthly Cost Allocation Report for your resource usage and cost. This cost allocation report includes all of your AWS costs for each billing period, including tagged and untagged resources. For more information, see Using Cost Allocation Tags in the AWS Billing and Cost Management User Guide.